Dar es Salaam. For many parents in Tanzania, bodabodas have become the easiest way to get children to school. From three-year-olds in nursery to nine-year-olds in primary school, motorcycle taxis are increasingly being trusted to ferry pupils every morning. But the cost of this convenience has been deadly.
In 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that motorcycles accounted for nearly 40 percent of all road accidents, with the Ministry of Home Affairs confirming that bodaboda accidents remain the leading cause of road-related deaths in the country. Among the victims are children whose parents thought they were simply securing quick transport to school.
“I don’t have a car, and the school is five kilometres away,” a parent and mother of two. The school bus is too expensive for me, so I use bodabodas. I know it’s dangerous, but what choice do I have?” Ms Grace Mushi, asked.
Many parents share her story. Rising costs of living have made school buses unaffordable for thousands of families in cities like Dar es Salaam. With most schools charging between Sh40,000 and Sh100,000 per month for transport, motorcycles—charging less than Sh1,000 per trip—become the only option.
But these savings come at a deadly price. Mr Josephat Jovin, a father who resides at Vikindu, recalled how his seven-year-old son died last year in a motorcycle crash.
“It was the worst day of my life. I had trusted the rider because he lived in our street. I wish I had found another way,” he told The Citizen in an interview.
Bodaboda drivers, on the other hand, argue they are simply filling a gap. Mr Moses Edward, a rider in Dar es Salaam, said, “Parents call us every morning. We cannot refuse because that is how we earn. We know the risks, but we also try to ride carefully.”
Yet, few riders follow the law. Many carry two or three children at once, often without helmets. Some are underage or unlicensed themselves.
What the law says
Despite clear regulations, enforcement has remained weak.
The Transport Licensing Regulations for Motorcycles and Tricycles (2010, amended in 2017) prohibit carrying more than one passenger and forbid carrying children under nine years old alone.
Section 168 of the Road Traffic Act (2002) makes it unlawful to carry more than one passenger and mandates the use of helmets for both rider and passenger. But these provisions are rarely observed.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mariam Ndaki admitted the challenge. “We stop and fine riders every day, but parents continue to use them. Some are unaware of the dangers; others just ignore them. Our capacity to monitor every street is limited.”
Teachers have also witnessed the consequences. A primary school teacher based in Mbezi, Ms Rehema Komba, said, “Sometimes children arrive late, wet from rain, or injured after falling. It affects their concentration and health. We have had cases where pupils stopped coming to school altogether after an accident.”
According to a child psychologist, Dr Frank Mboya; “A child who survives a road accident may carry fear and anxiety for years. They may refuse to go to school or develop nightmares. This is more than just a transport issue—it is a mental health concern.”
Healthcare experts echo the same. A paediatrician at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr Agnes Msuya, noted that children are more vulnerable. “Their bones are fragile, and most of them don’t wear helmets. Even minor crashes can result in life-changing injuries.”
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has repeatedly warned against using motorcycles as school transport. In its 2022 circular, the Ministry urged schools and parents to “ensure safe and reliable transport for pupils” and discouraged reliance on motorcycles.
However, compliance has been low, partly because many schools—especially in rural areas—do not provide school buses.
What can be done?
Experts suggest a combination of enforcement, awareness, and investment in safer alternatives.
Education activist Asha Mpendwa said, “Parents must prioritise safety over cost. Communities can pool resources to hire minibuses. Schools should also be supported to provide affordable buses.”
The police recommend stronger collaboration. “We need parents, teachers, local leaders, and the media to help us change mindsets,” ACP Ndaki insisted.
Psychologists urge campaigns targeting parents. “We must show them the hidden costs of trauma and injury,” said Dr Mboya.
And health experts call for stricter penalties. “If riders and parents knew the law would be fully enforced, behaviour would change,” Dr Msuya said.
While bodabodas offer convenience, it cannot replace a school bus. The risks are far too high. As Josephat, the grieving father, painfully puts it: “If I had known, I would have walked my son to school every day. Losing him was more expensive than any school bus.”
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